Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Red Fox

Avoiding an identity crisis!

This young red fox kit was brought to the Center after it was found orphaned.

Photos / Blue Ridge Wildlife Center

Lucky for this patient, he is one of three Red Fox kits currently in care at the Center. The other two (pictured below) both have leg injuries that they’re recovering from. Because of their injuries, they cannot yet be combined into a larger enclosure, but all three are housed next to each other so they can socialize and interact within the safety of their own crates.

Making sure babies know and can identify their own species is incredibly important! We take great care to make sure our babies do not habituate, or become friendly, towards people, as this would make them non-releasable. While these babies may look cute, remember that a wild life is always in their best interest!

This time of year, we get many calls about “orphaned” fox kits. Though we have strong reason to believe that this patient was truly orphaned, that is not the case for all fox kits seen without parents nearby. It is normal for kits to be outside the den playing or exploring and not seeing parents isn’t always a reason for concern.

If you see a kit and have concerns, please call the Center before intervening. The kit may not need help! If it does require assistance, our team can help the kit directly or help you find a rehabilitator closer to you.

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